The key to teaching children is using your everyday life to expose kids to learning. There are five main categories children can and should be taught by age one. I will provide multiple tips in the next few articles. If you will apply the tips that I suggest your child will be excited about learning and knowledgeable in the alphabets, shapes, colors, numbers, and animals before they turn two years old.
In case you are wondering, “Is this too much for a one year old to learn?” the answer is, NO. Have faith in God and the abilities of your child. The bible says in Phillipians 4:13 “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” Here is another way to look at it. When children are born they are depending on us to teach them about the world they have just entered. Children are excellent students they are born curious and eager to learn. Most of us have heard a parent refer to their new born baby as nosey because the child is looking at everything and everyone all the time. What I am suggesting is for us to use their curiosity about the world they have just entered into in a fun and purposeful way.
The more you link together the easier it will be for your child to remember and retain what you are teaching them. So, let’s begin with how to teach your child the alphabets. There are three parts to learning the alphabets: recognition, phonics, and writing. Learning how to write takes a little longer, however, the sooner you expose your child the more they will want to turn their scribbles into letters and words.
Learning about the alphabets can begin as early as when your child is in your stomach. Yes, your child can learn even inside your stomach. Develop a good habit of talking to your child while they are in your stomach. I made the mistake of thinking I should have the house fairly quiet when I was pregnant with our first child, Julia. I thought this would give hear a peaceful spirit. She was very peaceful in fact she was often called a happy baby by others. Although she was peaceful her speech was delayed because I failed to realize she learns to speak by hearing me talk.
I did not make this mistake with our other two children Joshua and Janna. I speak from experience, begin talking to your child while they are in your stomach. If you do this then it will be second nature to talk to them when they are in front of you. Once you are finally face to face with your precious child, the clock begins to tick. Your child is now waiting and eager to learn about their new world. Here are six tips to teaching your child the alphabets.
- Sing– Use every chance you get to sing the alphabet song. While preparing meals, during playtime, bath time or any time your child is sitting around, sing the alphabet song. My favorite time to sing to my children was during meal time and bath time. I would strap them into their high chair while I prepared their meals and then I would sing educational songs to them. During bath time I often used bath time crayons and letters to write out the alphabets while I sang the song.
- Use Cookie Cutters on Toast– Begin exposing your child to letters one at a time. Since you are starting the learning process as early as you can there is no need to rush the process. One letter per week will ensure that your child is learning and retaining what each letter looks like and sounds like. Use the alphabet shaped toast to help your child recognize each letter. Combine letter recognition with phonics and words that begin with each letter. For example, use a cookie cutter to cut out the shape of the letter A from a piece of toast. Point to the letter A and say “A” and the sound that A makes. Then say “A is for apple.”
- Use Chalk– During playtime outside write the alphabets on the side walk or driveway. Have your child follow you down the alphabet train while you step on each letter as you sing the alphabets song.
- Use Pudding– For snack time give your child pudding but make it fun. Place the pudding on a plate and form it into the letter you are working on that week. This activity will work with whip cream, yogurt or anything that is edible and can change form easily.
- Puzzles– Children love to grab and pick up objects, so puzzles are great learning tools. Sing the alphabet song and point to the letters on the puzzle. Begin by using one letter a week. Hold up the letter, say the sound it makes, and a word that begins with that letter.
- Educational Television time– Let’s face it, television is getting worst and worst. Even programs intended for children are being infiltrated with adult language and visuals. There really is no need for television anymore, except maybe for the news and we really don’t even need it for that thanks to technology. I believe children should primarily watch shows that are building them up academically or spiritually. Check out the resource page to see the educational movies I recommend.
Challenge: Children thrive in routine and repetition. Sing the alphabet song while serving each meal today.